Seaman Noah Sammons, 18, of Seaford, graduated Aug. 27 as the top sailor from Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, earning the Military Excellence Award.

"Winning the MEA shows me what I could be capable of in the future, and the keys to getting there," Sammons said. "I don't stand up here alone. This was only possible through the steadfast support and guidance of my RDCs, my shipmates and my family. It motivates me to aim even higher, and it shows me that teamwork, dedication to duty and heart can take you a long way."

The Military Excellence Award is presented to the recruit who best demonstrates enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing and teamwork throughout training. As part of the recognition, recipients receive a flag letter of commendation.

For Noah, the decision to enlist came down to a single word.

"I joined the Navy out of love. Love for my country, love for the people in it, love of service and the people who serve," he said. "I believe this is the place I can give the absolute most to my country and my people, both in peacetime and in conflict."

Sammons selected hospital corpsman training because it puts him where he can do the most good for the people around him.

"I chose the HM rating because I want to help people as much as possible," he said. "This job will give me the chance to develop skills and experience that are invaluable."

At 18, and straight out of Sussex Technical High School, Sammons arrived at RTC better prepared than many of his peers. His years in the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps gave him a foundation in drill, seamanship and most importantly, leadership.

"The drill, the ranks, the seamanship and the confidence go without saying, but having that leadership and team-building experience helped immensely," Sammons said. "I frequently had to work with and manage difficult people in JROTC and slow down to help them understand something or get through a challenge. Learning how to help where you can, let go of what you can't change and stay cool when things go wrong was a game-changer.”

Following graduation, Sammons reported to Hospital Corpsman A school in San Antonio, Texas, for training in patient care and first aid procedures.

Training at RTC is approximately nine weeks long, and all enlistees in the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command in North Chicago, Ill. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy's only boot camp.

Noah Sammons is the son of Joshua and Bella Sammons of Seaford, and has a brother, Riley. His grandparents are Bonny Sammons of Lincoln, and Bill Sammons Jr., founder of The Bridge 88.7, a Christian radio station serving Delmarva and New Jersey. He is the great-grandson of the late Pastor Bill Sammons Sr. and Mary Jane Sammons, founders of Eagle’s Nest Church, school and campsite near Milton.